Matthew gives us the solemn assurance that Jesus, “God-with-us” (cf. Matt 1:23), will be with the church until the end of history  His is no “absentee lordship” but a presence of a servant Christ who wishes to liberate rather than dominate.  His church must also be a humble servant that remembers its authority is not absolute but derived from Jesus; a church that identifies with those who are a very human mix of faith and doubt; a church that avoids all triumphalism and insensitivity to the wounded people of our world.